Varasteh Abdol-Reza, Vahedi Fatemeh, Sankian Mojtaba, Kaghazian Homan, Tavallaie Shima, Abolhassani Ahmad, Kermani Tayyebeh, Mahmoudi Mahmoud
Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Iran.
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007 Dec;6(4):189-95.
Saffron (Zaaferan), botanical name Crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is derived from the dried stigma and pistil of the purple saffron crocus flowers. Iran is the largest saffron producer accounting for more than 80% of the world's production. Saffron contains an aeroallergen that causes reactive respiratory allergic reactions in atopic subjects. IgG antibody to allergens in the serum of allergic patients is not routinely measured. In this study in order to find out more about mechanism of allergy against saffron pollen, specific antibodies (IgE and IgG, total and subclasses) in atopic subjects were assayed. We used an ELISA assay for measuring specific IgE and IgG against saffron pollen extract in the sera of 38 atopic subjects (test group) and 20 non allergic subjects (control group). The optical densities were compared between allergic subjects and non-allergic individuals. The prick test with saffron pollen extract was used to evaluate the cutaneous and specific antibody responses in the allergic subjects. The correlation was determined by statistical analysis. Specific saffron pollen IgE and IgG subclasses were found significantly higher in the allergic subjects than the control group. The immediate skin reaction was found positive in 70% of the test group. We report here, the existence of a positive correlation between specific IgE and skin reaction by prick test in atopic subjects (R= 0.433). A negative correlation between specific IgE and IgG4 subclass was also found (R= -0.576). These data may be useful to understand the mechanism of allergy to saffron and may help in clarifying clinical manifestations and to prevent IgE production as well as therapeutic application.
藏红花（藏红花素），植物学名称为番红花，是世界上最昂贵的香料。它源自紫色藏红花番红花花的干燥柱头和雌蕊。伊朗是最大的藏红花生产国，占世界产量的80%以上。藏红花含有一种空气变应原，可在特应性个体中引起反应性呼吸道过敏反应。过敏患者血清中针对变应原的IgG抗体通常不进行检测。在本研究中，为了更多地了解对藏红花花粉的过敏机制，对特应性个体中的特异性抗体（IgE和IgG，总量和亚类）进行了检测。我们使用酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）来测量38名特应性个体（试验组）和20名非过敏个体（对照组）血清中针对藏红花花粉提取物的特异性IgE和IgG。比较了过敏个体和非过敏个体之间的光密度。用藏红花花粉提取物进行点刺试验，以评估过敏个体的皮肤和特异性抗体反应。通过统计分析确定相关性。发现过敏个体中特异性藏红花花粉IgE和IgG亚类显著高于对照组。试验组中70%的个体即时皮肤反应呈阳性。我们在此报告，特应性个体中特异性IgE与点刺试验皮肤反应之间存在正相关（R = 0.433）。还发现特异性IgE与IgG4亚类之间存在负相关（R = -0.576）。这些数据可能有助于理解对藏红花的过敏机制，并可能有助于阐明临床表现、预防IgE产生以及治疗应用。
